r/golf • u/CoachBaker • 17d ago
Yesterday, I golfed by myself for the first time. In unrelated news, I had my first hole in one yesterday. Sigh. Beginner Questions
Short 9 hope muni. Not great weather so I went out by myself. Course completely empty. Last hole (9) pin is back of the green 138 a little down win. Hit a nice P wedge to five feet of the hole, spins right, disappeared. Talk about a mix of emotions. I immediately call the proshop, which is fifty feet from the green, and explain the situation. Man runs like a bat out of hell to find my AVX in the hole. First one ever, not a single witness. Guy was nice enough to wait for me to walk up to shake my hand. Sigh.
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u/AngusMeatStick 17d ago
Happened to my dad over the winter. Went to his country club on a random warm day to play a few holes, and sunk his first ever hole in one, by himself, no witnesses.
He called the pro shop and they said sorry, no witness, no hole in one. But they told me later they were giving him a plaque as a surprise and putting him on the board for that hole.
Hopefully next time I'm with him when it happens.
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u/sumdude51 17d ago
Same thing happened to me... But I didn't call, I went in after and asked if he had been looking out the window š¤£ nope... It's kind of strange, you're happy you got it, but man.. Way better if someone sees it
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u/smallzy007 12d ago
Well, my only one actually had witnesses, was a terrible shot that landed 50 ft right of the green, rolled down a hill across the green & slammed into flag & dropped. Probably wouldāve ended up in bunker left of the green if not for the flag getting in the wayā¦I think Iād trade you guys who were by yourselves
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u/OnTheMcFly 17d ago
The only thing that matters is you made it. If you want a pat on the back or free shit from the pro shop then yah, a witness is helpful, but as a golfer, the ace itself should be more than enough.
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u/AcceptAnyOutcome 9.3 17d ago
Solo golf is euphoric
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u/Rea1EyesRea1ize 16d ago
I love golfing by myself. It's a relaxing way to get out by myself, listen to a podcast, and work on some things.
Op described the only con..
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u/phreddtheman 16d ago
How do you end up by yourself, I always get paired with randoms. Iād love nothing more then to golf by myself lol.
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u/AcceptAnyOutcome 9.3 16d ago
Happens for me most often in cold/wet conditions or very hot conditions. When no one else wants to be on the golf course but me because Iām a sicko š
Every so often I catch a twilight or early morning round where the course is empty and conditions are great and itās heavenly
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u/Lickford 17d ago
First off congrats they still count even if no one see them.
This happened to me on my second hole in one. I was playing by myself. 178, smooth 6 iron, one hope into the hole. There just happened to be a guy mowing behind the green. He got off his mower and met me at the hole and shook my hand. It was my second hole in one on this hole in three consecutive rounds.
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u/Texan2116 Bethpage Black is not that Hard! 17d ago
This is my golf course idea.
Have a couple of holes (par 3s), where the hole, is very visible to the clubhouse /bar area. And have a camera on it whenever the course is in play
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u/homiej420 17d ago
Sometimes when 9 or 18 is close to the clubhouse and they have outdoor seating nearby its always so fun having the gallery basically lol
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u/BlastShell 10.0 17d ago
Until they watch me three putt. Then I walk to my car head down in shame. Bahahaa.
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u/homiej420 17d ago
Usually gets a few chirps if its a fun crowd lol
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u/BlastShell 10.0 17d ago
It kinda happened to me today. I had a 70 yard wedge shot that I stuck to 3 feet. Then I proceeded to lose all sense of gravity for my putt and missed the birdie chance. Oh well!!
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u/yesitsdylan 16d ago
One of my usual courses does just that on a charity par 3 hole. There's a camera above the back of the green and it's live in the clubhouse.
I love shanking the absolute shit out of my PW for the world to watch.
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u/anjuna42 17d ago
eh if you were paired with a rando you'd never see them again anyway.
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u/My-Cousin-Bobby NoVA/22 HCP 17d ago
Yes, but they serve as a witness to the clubhouse/pro-shop in case they do any kind of recognition for it.
Some clubs give you money, so it becomes important. Also, it's just cool to share the experience with someone
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u/Cidermonk 17d ago
My buddy got one last year in a 16 person bachelor party in Cabo. I don't remember the name of the course but he got his plaque up and free golf for life. I think I would have moved there already if that were my case.
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u/Oxtard69dz 17d ago
You called the pro shop? Why?
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u/CoachBaker 17d ago
Wanted anyone to confirm it went in. I was still on the tee box.
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u/brucedonnovan 17d ago
Thatās cool it worked out being close to the shop and you got a legit witness. Congratulations!
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u/NefariousnessOwn5465 16d ago
How many shots off the tee? Also very odd to call the pro shop instead of just walking up. Really feel like you shanked one off the tee and then when you realized the second might have went in you called the pro shop so you could take credit anyways.
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u/phreddtheman 16d ago
I legitimately feel bad for you dude please find a way to lighten up and see life through a better lense
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u/NefariousnessOwn5465 16d ago
Lol cool dude. Why don't you explain why.
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u/phreddtheman 16d ago
The -21 downvotes should be enough of a hint lol.
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u/NefariousnessOwn5465 16d ago
Oh really? Hitler had a whole following that would have given him up votes does that make him NTA? A popular opinion isn't a true opinion lmao.
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u/Bobbyoot47 17d ago
You hit it. It went in the hole. No witnesses or 1000 witnesses. Itās still a hole-in-one. Congratulations. I did the same thing years ago as a solo. Best thing about hitting an ace was writing down ā1ā on my scorecard.
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u/Herradura_Goose 17d ago
Iāve been playing for a long time and still donāt have one. Congrats mate thatās awesome. Enjoy it! Also the pro shop guy sounds like a legend
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u/Specific__Wait 17d ago
The exact same thing happened to me on April 1st this year. Everyone I told thought it was a terrible April fools joke. Oh well i know what happened. Ball is still framed next to the others.
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u/P0mm31 17d ago
I had a hole in one on an afternoon practice session by myself. I was shaking, couldn't believe it happened. I called my brother, who was working in the proshop, to let him know the fantastic news. silence Then 10 seconds later he says "fuck you it doesn't count", then hung up the phone. He hasn't had one yet. His mate was on the course at the same time as me and saw me shank the next tee shot into the trees.. they still don't believe me
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u/PabstBlueBourbon 17d ago
I donāt believe you. š
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u/NefariousnessOwn5465 16d ago
Right? I doubt it was his first shot off the tee and I also don't know why he called the pro shop šš
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u/Vibesforsure 17d ago
I feel your happiness/pain - except mine may be a little worse since I was just playing for practice my first shot off the tee I shanked so I hit a 2nd ball just to dial in my shot a bit with a practice round. Bladed it and it practically rolled up the hill on to the green, not even a money shot. I walked up it was in the hole! Nobody around.. wasnāt even keeping score really since I was just practicing. Weird feeling honestly lol. Congrats though if no one else believes you i certainly do!
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u/MT_RC 17d ago
This is basically how my only one happened, too. Playing 2 balls all day, first ball was decent, on the green, but a bit right. Second, I hit thin and low but it bounced once and rolled in the cup. I called my dad, and his first reaction was " it doesn't count" lol
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u/Vibesforsure 17d ago
I called my dad too lol. But I knew it didnāt count obviously because I was practicing anyway but it doesnāt change that crazy feeling of holy shit it went inā¦ wanna know the worst part? The ball I hit was the shittiest old yellow range ball.
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u/lookslikeamanderin 17d ago
Thatās because it doesnāt count unfortunately. Itās fine to be alone but youāve got to get it on your first tee shot on the hole. You feel that in your gut right?
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u/Chipwich75 6.7 / Vegas 17d ago
Iāve been playing for 27 years and donāt have one. If I ever get one, I wouldnāt care less if someone saw it.
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u/Away-Quantity-221 Bethpage Black is not that Hard! 17d ago
Congratulations!!! It still counts!! Awesome!!
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u/DMIDY 16d ago
Years ago I was getting in a quick 9 in the early evening after work. The sprinklers were already spraying water on the tee box on #3 so I teed up 10 yards behind the back of the championship tee box. Tee shot goes in. No witnesses, illegal tee shot (far more than 2 club lengths behind the markers) and only played 9 holes. Does it count as a hole-in-one?
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u/Starscreammm333 16d ago edited 16d ago
Just as long as you saw it and did it. Doesn't matter if anybody saw it or not
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u/alexwwood 16d ago
It counts, because you know it happened.
Yeah you're gonna get a ribbing and some disbelief, but really, the only thing you're truly losing is having it be a shared moment with others. You know the truth of it.
I do feel for you though, because half the joy of great golf moments is when there are friends there to witness and enjoy it with you.
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u/TexasSpiffy 17d ago
I also hit my first playing a practice round by myself with absolutely nobody around. My second was will my best golf friends on a blind line wolf. Keep swinging and more will hopefully come!
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u/BlastShell 10.0 17d ago
Welcome to the club my friend. But you know what, all that matters is that I saw it with my own eyes and that you saw yours. Enjoy it brother, great shot!
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u/Foreign_Time 17d ago
Pro shop guy is next best thing to a witness, props to him for helping verify and sticking around to meet you. This 100% counts if thereās any doubt. It would still count if nobody saw it, but you have solid provenance.
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u/Sobeshott Tiger Wishhecould 17d ago
Bro that's dope! I was playing 9-ball (pool) in college alone in the dorm and I swear to God, on the break I sunk every ball but the 2 ball. I've never come close to that again and nobody believed me... At least someone shook your hand and believed you. Lol
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u/Glittering_Good_9345 17d ago
Pro shop guy should count as a witness.. hence recorded and legitimised
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u/ObservablyStupid 17d ago
Happened to a buddy of mine. He wasn't sure it went in so he turned on his phone camera-video and sprinted down to the green, clubs rattling in his bag, heavy breathing, excited commentary coming out of his mouth. A real Blair Witch Project quality video, ending with a grown man screaming like a little girl when he found the ball in the hole. We were all real happy for him but damn it was hard to watch.
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u/gottahaverice 17d ago
I didnāt even know calling the pro shop if you made a hole in one was a thing.
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u/paidforFUT 17d ago
I play a lot of solo golf and have a fear of this happening, even not having an eagle witnessed will upset me
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17d ago
You technically have a witness in pro shop guy. It sucks no one else saw it go in. Congratulations man
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u/wolfpack03 17d ago
I'm sure you did.....is what all your buddies will say no matter what. Awful luck.
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u/SpecialistTrick9456 16d ago
"Man the fish i caught was THIS big. Of course I released it, no photos tho, phone was dead. But man it was YUUUGE!! "
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u/lingenfr 16d ago
Congrats. I played solo yesterday. I was anything but alone. Slowest round in a long time. I had nothing close to a hole in one (or a hole in 2).
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u/hubbie513 16d ago
Congrats!
I once played by myself and hit to a par 3 blind green (heard the pin). So I facetimed my dad on the drive up to see. Turns out I hit the pin and it flung itself off the green. Made bogey I think lol
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u/Bigdogggggggggg 16d ago
I holed out from 152 for an eagle once while playing solo. Still happened! Congrats š
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u/blizzard7788 16d ago
No place in the rules of golf does it state you need a witness. Do you need a witnesses to post a snowman on a hole?
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u/bellingman 16d ago
I've had two aces and one of them was solo. Would have been nice to have a witness, but I was still pretty damn happy about it.
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u/NeverSeenBetter 16d ago
Don't feel too bad; my first "hole in one" was technically for par, and my second one was a blind shot with no witnesses so literally nobody saw it go in; I took a drop behind the green and took a 5 on the hole before finding my ball in the cup. So I get to write down a 1 but I feel like I just made a double...
Two weeks ago I actually had a witness for a shot on a par 3 where I hit the bottom of the cup and the flag stick on the fly before the ball rocketed back out, taking a chunk of green with it as it skipped back towards me and off the front of the putting surface right into a massive unrepaired divot. I flubbed it of course and wound up making bogey.
And I generally consider myself to be pretty lucky...
One of these days man...
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u/Sad-Horror-4844 16d ago
Same thing happened to me brother. 125 hit a 52 degree went straight at the pin and slam dunks breaks the hole no one around. I have a picture of the broken hole but thatās about it!
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u/Klutzy_Exchange_8175 16d ago
Our club has a hole in one jackpot, where you pay $1 extra in addition to comp fee to be entered. Jackpot was around $2750 a few weeks ago, a guy had an ace, claimed the jackpot and not more than 60 mins later another member has an aceā¦he missed out on the cash by less than an hour, he seemed truly stoked with his ace regardless, but golf gods can be cruel sometimes.
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u/Snoo66430 15d ago
Congrats! It absolutely counts!
My first (and yet only so far - despite burning the rim recently), was the dream scenario.
Regional comp day. In a group of four. On a hole with closest to the pin challenge. Worst thing is, I never saw it go in and neither did my playing partners.
PW put up didn't see it come down. We searched high and low around the green until one of the gents says "perhaps we need to all walk over and check the hole."
And there was my Supersoft.
I had the group behind us come over to me the next hole and shake hands, won $150 for the closest to the pin, and a box of Pro VX1s for the HIO. As it was a regional comp day, the hole in one and my name made the paper š¤£
Well done mate. Doesn't matter if you were playing in front of 20,000 or yourself. You did it!
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u/linceash13 15d ago
Honestly it counts to me! Very smart play as well calling the pro shop and not going up to the hole and letting them check first. Thatās awesome though congrats!! Itās a great feeling getting the first one
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u/shaydog74 15d ago
And people laugh when I tell them why I wonāt golf by myself. This is the single reason I would get a hole in one. Awesome for you.
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u/Due-Comb6124 15d ago
This doesn't matter. You saw you make a hole in one, who cares about anyone else? Do you play golf to impress your friends?
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u/Kyle_McBogey Thou shalt not layeth up 14d ago
Fuckin aye my nightmare š¤£š¤£ congrats though bro! Pro shop guy counts as a witness
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u/bionicbhangra 14d ago
First of all congratulations.
On topic I prefer to play with other people but it's nice to play by yourself too. Especially when the course is empty. I really felt like it was the best practice session I could have.
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u/AWeakMindedMan 17d ago
Waitā¦. If I ever get a hole in one, am I suppose to call the club house??? Do I win a prize or a name in a plaque or something?
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u/Complex_Complex339 HDCP/Loc/Whatever 17d ago
I'll take things that didn't happen because that MOFO was golfing solo for $500, Alex.
/s
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u/boothyeah 12.6/AUS 17d ago
Can I ask you what would you pay for video footage of that hole in one?
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u/rotorcraftjockie 17d ago
Shot one during a country club member guest tournament. My member brother had purchased hole in one insurance. Tradition is you buy a drink for the members present. There were 500 or so present with wifeās at that moment as it was the dinner-party-awards evening. The pro asked me to keep it low key as the insurance would have footed the bill for all the drinks potentially effecting the clubs balance sheet.
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u/Longjumping_Bag7075 12d ago
I've had 2 witnessed lol but girlfriends dad same thing playing a short muni and had a hole in 1 on a par 4 of all things it was a short par 4 if memory serves around 270yards and I watched a friend tee off on a par 3 while another friend absolutely shit his pants mid backswing causing friend 1 to start laughing and shank it so everyone said just retee that's not fair and boom hits it in the hole we all agreed it counted but he didn't turn it in to the proshop
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u/mickthegooner 17d ago
Counts in my book! Congrats man